Anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALK-negative of the breast diagnosed a short time after removal of breast implant in a patient with breast carcinoma: diagnostic and therapeutic considerations

Abstract

A case of mass-forming breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) with onset a short time after explanation of the cosmetic prosthesis is reported. The cause of implant removal was carcinoma diagnosed in the ipsilateral breast. The rarity of an almost synchronous manifestation of BIA-ALCL and breast carcinoma and the diagnostic challenges of mass-forming BIA-ALCL in a previously operated breast substantiate this report. The clinical course, diagnostic workup and therapeutic considerations are presented and discussed in detail. This case shows that a diagnosis of BIA-ALCL must always be considered even without a prosthesis in place in patients with a long history of textured implants.

Keywords: breast cancer; breast surgery; haematology (incl blood transfusion); plastic and reconstructive surgery; surgical oncology.